Mayo native scoops award at FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards

One Mayo farmer has scooped a national prize at the FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards. 

Held at the Kilashee Hotel in Naas last night, Westport native David Heraty secured the Land Mobility Award. 

This year marked the 27th anniversary of the FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards, which were held at the Killashee Hotel in Naas, Co Kildare. Aileen Sheehan, the 2025 winner of the award was present at the awards ceremony and addressed the crowd. She spoke of the importance of women being visible in the Agriculture Sector: "Behind every good man is a great woman, and that’s true, but we shouldn’t be behind. It’s time for women in the agriculture sector to step forward." 

The aim of the competition is to recognise and reward the top young farmers in the country. Entrants are judged according to a number of criteria, including farm business initiative and innovation, levels of farm efficiency and enterprise quality, farm safety and environmental protection awareness, and agricultural knowledge. The judges commended the high calibre of contestants this year, and congratulated all who participated at every level of the competition. 

Westport farmer David Heraty was one of six finalists up for the main award which saw Aileen Sheehan from Cork scoop glory.

Josephine O'Neill, Macra National President said, "History is made as we announce the first female winner of the FBD Young Farmer of the Year awards. On behalf of Macra, I’d like to congratulate Aileen Sheehan on her outstanding achievement. Throughout the competition, she has demonstrated her passion for and dedication to agriculture, the environment and her local community. Aileen is following in the footsteps of many trailblazers in agriculture and will no doubt represent with the title with pride and integrity. Congratulations also to all finalists on representing themselves so well."

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